Hello. Another quick update.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL THAT HAVE ALREADY BEGUN TO SEND TOYS AND OTHER ITEMS! Let's keep the ball rolling!

First, the Chief is still writing in his journal, but we are keeping all the toy/donation stuff on top. So scroll down a bit to read the journal entries.

School supplies!!!! These are desperately needed! Pencils, pens, notebooks, erasers, etc. (see more on this below)

Still looking for a sponsor for the biking, etc. If you emailed us about this, please do so again, things are hectic to say the least.

The Generals! In the midst of all of this, please don't forget to write those in charge about getting them released.

UPDATE: Joe Katzman at WindsofChange.net has created some buttons for the cause of the Generals. A big thanks to them as they have taken up the charge and been a huge help in this cause!

Please continue to read the comments of the toy entries as people have come up with the most wonderful suggestions. Also, check back as we will be posting links as various websites give their own ideas and suggestions.

The Chief will take all you can send. If you want to get other groups involved, great! The more the merrier. I just recieved an email from a group of elderly women who are knitting toys to send. Thank you, thank you thank you!

UPDATE: Let's not forget older kids! I picked up some inexpensive digital watches and calculators to send for older kids. Any other ideas?

Keep watching Dean's site as he is being a HUGE help with this project.

Sgt. Hook has a wonderful tribute and tie in to the toy drive.

Some ideas from one of the Chief's friends, Gary, one of the original ones who sent him items:

Just got caught up on the Chief Wiggles blog site....will be smiling for
days.  In his last two journals the Chief talks about having items from his
team mates to give to the little girl at the gate, and to the family
that has befriended him. I'm please to say that those came from us.
Over the last 4 months a small group of us have spent over $800 for
supplies and postage to send things to the Chief. Our group includes me, a
co-worker Terry, and some financial help from my mother and her
significant other, and a cousin and aunt of mine.  Much of what we have
sent has been for the Chief's personal use....healthcare and hygiene items,
food, snacks, clothing, fly strips and flyswatters, room deodorizers
(when he was in the POW compound downwind of the latrines), you name
it...including office supplies. We've also sent things for the Chief to give
away, first to the POWs and then, when he moved to Baghdad, items he
could give to local Iraqis. Given the incredible response to the Chief's
request for "toys", I thought I should share with you some of the things
we've sent, as we have thought about this carefully so that we would
spend our money wisely.

We decided against crayons because of the heat, but we did send colored
chalk that kids could use on paper or sidewalks. We also sent stickers
and paper. We found combs and brushes, kid-sized, and costume jewelry at
dollar stores.  We've sent kid-sized flip-flops (couldn't afford real
shoes, but the Chief says flip-flops are perfect) and socks. We found
packages of toothpaste with kid-sized toothbrushes included and sent
them. Besides stuffed animals, we sent toys such as the
paddles-with-balls-on-rubberbands, yoyos, balls, flashlights, and
sunglasses. As you suggested, we're very careful that any designs are
not offensive nor even "American".

And we sent small packages of candy (not chocolate, again, because of
the heat and how long it takes to get to Iraq) and gum that he could
give to the children.

In a recent email from the Chief, he said that, besides toys, kids flip-flops
and socks and candy would always be appropriate and useful. He also
mentioned school supplies: pencils and small pencil sharpeners, lined
paper, colored paper, rulers, and pens.

Thanks Gary, both for your help to the Chief and the wonderful, well thought out ideas!

Medic Mom has created some buttons to use to link to the toy drive. Give them a gander and use them if you wish!

Some more buttons on A Small Victory created by Stacy. You folks make my day!

UPDATE: I have been asked several times about the APO address and if the military can handle the amount of packages being sent. The quick answer is, I don't know. Before posting the address, the Chief and those helping him discussed the situation with those in charge and they were issued this special APO address using the Chief's pseudonym. It shouldn't be a shock to the military, they should be ready for it. But, I can not say for certain what will happen. For now, everyone that we need to contact has been contacted and permission has been given. That's all I can say on this subject for now, thanks.